Boston lawyer acquitted on two rape charges; third rape charge dropped by prosecutors in Miami

A Boston lawyer, named in 2001 on People magazine’s list of America’s "Most Eligible Bachelors," and even trying out for ABC's show "The Bachelor," is facing charges for grooming young women he "dated" for rape.

Zerola overcame a poor childhood, where he was shifted from foster home to foster home until finally being adopted by a suburban Boston lawyer. He attended Suffolk University, where he graduated with a law degree and public comminications degree.

Trial of Hub's Most Eligible Bachelor on Rape Charges to Start Tomorrow, from the Boston Herald, has more.

"He was bright and articulate," said John E. Fenton Jr., one of Zerola’s law professors. "I don’t remember what he spoke about, but I can tell you he gave an excellent speech."
He worked as a state prosecutor on child abuse and domestic violence cases and became
well-known in philanthropic circles as an advocate for foster children. He started a volunteer group that raised money to buy clothing and gifts for foster kids. He was regularly mentioned in newspaper gossip columns and fetched an $800 bid in a charity dating auction. In 2001, at age 29, Zerola was named one of People’s 50 most eligible bachelors.

In 2000, Zerola opened his own practice, where his clients included drug dealers, and ironically, rape defendants - something he is currently.

In court, he was known for his well-tailored suits, flashy style and the frequent compliments he paid female court employees.

"It’s a rare instance that you see a kid who has been through as many foster family situations as Gary who was able to rise above all of that, not to get into trouble as a kid, not to turn to substance abuse, but to go to college and then to go on and become a lawyer," said Michael Natola, a Boston defense attorney who is a close friend.

Zerola's MO, according to prosecutoirs, is to meet women in bars, charm them, get them back into his apartment or hotel room, then rape them. He stands trail for raping 2 19 year old Massachusetts women back in 2004 and 2006 tomorrow, and then he is scheduled to face charges in Florida for a 3rd sexual assault.

In the 2006 case, he allegedly took the woman shopping at Neiman Marcus, where he bought her a $700 dress and $250 shoes before trying to rape her in his Boston apartment. "He spent some time grooming these girls," prosecutor Suzanne Kontz said during a hearing in November. Zerola is free on $100,000 bail. He and his attorney, Janice Bassil, did not return calls seeking comment.

In the 2004 case, Zerola stands accused of repeatedly raping a woman in his apartment.
In 2006, a woman told police that after the two went out on their first date, she went back to his apartment to use the bathroom. She said that after she turned down Zerola’s sexual advances, he ripped off her dress and underwear, slammed her head against the wall and refused to let her leave. The woman dialed 911 on her cell phone and police tracked the call to Zerola’s apartment using a GPS system.

He violated bail by watching the New England Patriots defeat the Miami Dolphins in person down in Miami. Then according to Florida officials, he went hunting for a 3rd victim, 18, at a Miain Beach club.

A 3rd woman told police she had several drinks with Zerola at a club, then went to his hotel room, where Zerola stuffed pills down her throat. The woman, who told police she was a virgin, said she awoke naked and bleeding in bed beside Zerola. Zerola told police, "I never had sex with her." He would not submit to a DNA test, prosecutors said.

Zerola, whose law license has been suspended, has a website where he announces he's no longer practicing law at this time.

(Update 3-19-08) Zerola, acquitted in the rape of a 19 year old woman in January, is on trial for the rape of a second 19 year old Massachusetts woman. Opening statements were held in Suffolk Superior Court today.

(Update 3-27-08) It's zero for Zerola's prosecutors as he's acquitted of charges in the second of three cases against him. He still faces a Florida trial for an incident after a Dolphins game.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury deliberated 2 hours before returning not guilty verdicts on multiple charges of rape and supplying liquor to a minor. Zerola’s alleged victim and her family clutched each other, wracked with sobs.

The People magazine hunk-turned-hunted told the Herald he was looking forward to “spending time with my family,” but the respite could be short-lived. Zerola, 36, is scheduled to go on trial for sexual battery of a third teen in Miami Beach in late May.

(Update 6-12-08) All charges against Zerola have been dropped. Miami police give credibility issues and lies about drug use and differing versions of events as reasons the Miami charges were dropped.